Understanding Chinese GDP

This book provides in-depth analyses on accounting methods of GDP, statistic calibers and comparative perspectives on Chinese GDP. Beginning with an exploration of international comparisons of GDP, the book introduces the theoretical backgrounds, data sources, algorithms of the exchange rate method and the purchasing power parity method and discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and the latest developments in the two methods. This book further elaborates on the reasons for the imperfections of the Chinese GDP data including limitations of current statistical techniques and the accounting system, as well as the relatively confusing statistics for the service industry. The authors then make suggestions for improvement. Finally, the authors emphasize that evaluation of a country's economy and social development should not be solely limited to GDP, but should focus more on indicators of the comprehensive national power, national welfare, and the people's livelihood. This book will be of interest to economists, China-watchers, and scholars of geopolitics.

Explains the mathematics behind calculating Chinese GDP Investigates the idea of "quality" GDP growth, and the shift towards sustainable development Examines the ways that Chinese GDP growth is distributed to citizens, giving spending power to a new middle class

Autorentext

Xuguang Song, Ph.D. in Economics, is Professor and Dean of the School of Statistics at Beijing Normal University, China. He also serves as vice president of the National Statistical Society of China and the Statistical Education Society of China. He has published numerous articles internationally and four books in the area of economic statistics.

Inhalt

1. One Dropped Pebble Creates a Thousand Ripples.- 2. Rethinking of the Problems in the Methodology of International Economic Comparison.- 3. Limitations of the Exchange Rate Method.- 4. Viewing and Applying the PPP Correctly.- 5. Understanding PPP though Examples.- 6. Calculation of China's GDP.- 7. Confusion in the Service Industry Data.- 8. Similarities and Differences between the GDP and the GNI.- 9. National Power and Processing Depth Coefficient.- 10. Comparisons of People's Standard of Living.- 11. Rankings of Countries in terms of Energy, Per Capita Arable Land, Water Resources, and Expenditures on Medical and Health Care.- 12. Changes in the GDP Rankings.- 13. Economic Scale, the United Nations Membership Dues, and Shares of the World Bank.- 14. ICP Shock.